Worst part of your gyno exam

@dr. fireman A woman's body size does not determine the size and structure of her vagina. Just as a man's size does not determine the size of his penis.

It used to be recommended that women in the U.S. have annual pap smears. That is no longer the case except for women who have had recent abnormal pap test results or are at a high risk for cervical cancer. Now it is every two years, I think. Some insurances no longer pay for pap tests for women of a certain age; I'm assuming because they think women have fewer sexual partners as they get older, but I think they're doing women a great disservice by thinking so. Besides, there's a whole cougar generation out there now ready to pounce on all the young cubs...

Egirlky, I am reading more and more about this debate about annual pap smears and every other 2 years. I am old school and don't like change, but thats just me. As it stands right now, I have top of the line insurance. Currently we pay 90 bucks every 2 weeks for family coverage which is a 90/10 coverage. Our co-pays at a doctors visit is 20 bucks, the ER 50. But there are some clauses in our policy. For example, if we go to the ER and my insurance company decides that it really isn't an emergency the amount we will be required to pay will be much higher, and might even require us to pay 100 percent of the cost of the visit. This clause I happen to love and wish that all insurance companies would do this. It would stop all the yahoos from using the ER as their doctors office so that when someone with a real emergency comes to the ER there is space and medical staff available to take care of them. And for anyone who's ever gone to the ER and had to wait 2 hours or longer in a waiting room full of people with a migraine, or who have brought their 6 kids all under the age of 6 because one of them happens to have a runny nose, and well you get the picture of where I am going with that. Grrrrr.

Another clause in my insurance policy is that if we get a physical every year, and for me this includes the head to toe, inside and out, pap,rectal and all, then they will continue to keep my insurance premiums and coverage as is. If I or we miss our yearly examinations then our coverage goes down to 80/20 and our premiums go up. At the 90/10 level all I have to pay for is the co-pay, nothing else, none of the labs or the pap test itself either. I am guessing their thought process behind this is that prevention is much cheaper than fixing a real problem that could have very easily been prevented. It's like my birth control pills. They are free, my daughters birth control shots are also free because again, it's much cheaper to provide free pills or a shot 4 times a year than it is to pay for an abortion, or prenatal care and everything that goes along with having a baby. How does that saying go, "A little ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? Something like that anyway, lol.

So as it stands right now, and the policy that we have in place with our insurance company we continue to get yearly physicals. Which I happen to like, and not because I am kinky or anyrthing, but because again, I am old school and still feel more comfortable having a complete physical every year as apposed to every other. A lot can happen to a woman, especially a woman my age which is almost 43 in a 2 year span, or even in a year span. For example, about 3 months ago I started lactating for no reason at all. Secretly I was thrilled to death and thought it was sorta cool, lol, but ummm, Doc didn't quite think so, lol. So I guess what I am trying to say here is I'm at the age when quirky things are probably going to start happening to me and I really don't want to wait another 19 months to figure out what's going on with my tatas. Can you imagine, a real nurse, in her sexual prime, able, willing, and more importantly capable of really giving them a complete head to toe, very indepth, inside and out physical. Who also has all the real medical grade professional equipment to perform said physical, and then to be lactating on top of all of that? Oy Vey! I might have to put up an electric fence or something, lol.

In all seriousness though I have been noticing some insurance companies who are actually getting the point that you are posting about us older women having more sex partners than we used to. After all, divorce rates are much higher than they were say 50 years ago. Women these days are learning that it's okay for them to hold their own identities, and that their bodies belong to first off, themselves, then secondly to whomever they want to give it to.

About 4-5 years ago Doc asked me if I wanted to get the girls and I vaccinated against HPV. At that time the girls were about 13-15ish. They were at the prime age, and the FDA's recommended ages to receive them so I knew my insurance company wouldn't think twice, and they didn't even bat an eye at if I remember correctly it's heafty price tag of 1500 bucks. I wasn't so sure they would pay for me though since I was about 30 years too old and really didn't meet any of their other "criteria". They gave me the green light though have them administered. Again, I think they did so with the mind set of it being cheaper to pay the 1500 bucks now rather than possibly paying for all of the treatments to treat HPV down the road in 20 years or so, God forbid.

I think some insurance companies are finally starting to get the whole picture, but as the year 2014 fastly approaches us here in the States, it also brings on the whole new picture of Obamacare. God please save us all, lol.

I will admit that I'm not up to date on US Healthcare or even know the ins and outs of it...but Mashie, it seems like your insurance company has a good deal (90/10 coverage, paying co-pay, the ER clause, etc), I also think it's smart on their part to insist on yearly physicals.

In Canada, as previously mentioned, we have free healthcare. Yearly exams, including gyn exam, are covered by our healthcare. It is still recommended (and covered) that females get yearly gyn exams, however paps are no longer covered on a yearly basis, as they are not deemed 'necessary', unless there is a reason (ex history of cancer). I believe that paps are now (in Canada) recommended every 3 years and are covered every three years. A patient can request more frequent paps, but they are responsible for the cost (I think $25)...again, unless there's a history, in which case they would be covered.

Basically, in Canada, we are still encouraged to have our yearly exams, they just don't include a pap every year.

I would say the worst part of my gf's exam is getting opened with the speculum.. She's quite small down there and up until we started dating and having regular sex, needed the "little girl" speculum as her Dr put it.

Having the speculum inserted is by far the worst for me

I think in my SO's case, the worst part of the gyno exam is likely every part of it. She just generally doesn't like it.

Although I realize it's off topic, I wanted to add that health care in Canada isn't "free" per se. We pay for it from our tax dollars. There are generally not co-pays for most hospital services, although there can be for some physicians' office things (EG: doctor's notes for certain things), long-term care (which is tested by income), etc. Some provinces charge health premiums (BC) or additional health taxes (Ontario) to pay for the costs, which can be over half of a province's budget.

It is very comforting to be able to get health services without having to generally worry about insurance coverage. At the same time, I try to keep in good shape and not do stupid things so I don't cost the health system money.

Rectal exams i really hate them and i get them all the time

The room is cold!!

The paper that lines the exam table -- HATE the way it feels and crinkles when I am scooting down to the end of the table.

If that's your worst part of the exam, you don't have ANY bad parts to the exam!

I hate the paper gowns and feeling so cold on the table. Makes it hard to relax and get through it.

I'm also anxious about the results of my pap. I did have an abnormal one but I know what caused it😉. I was send to an obgyn who did another pap which came back normal instead of the colposcopy.

I think for me the worst part is the wait in the waiting room. Not matter what time my appt is I am going to have to wait,

I tend to agree about the paper gowns. They're a little too stiff and while I thought the cloth ones were immodest, the paper ones are a lot worse.

For me it is the pap smear, the feeling of it being taken is uncomfortable. Secondly it is also now waiting for the results of the pap. I used to not worry much at all but as I get older and also hear more of others stories about abnormal results it makes me more aware of the concern.

Definitely the scrape of the Pap smear being taken.

I think the worst part is the beginning, being asked to scoot down or open my knees. I find it so humiliating, and it's the moment when I know that I'm stuck and can't get out of having the exam for fear of being a freak by asking to stop. I always wonder what's going through the gynecologist's mind when he looks at me, and then I wonder if I've waxed recently enough, or if my wax job is even (sometimes it isn't). Once, my waxer mistakenly assumed I wanted to be all bare, and that was an embarrassing exam to have. I think it's a popular style now, but to me, it always looks strange.

Always the PAP test, not just because of what they do, but the possible results afterward. Another thing I hate is when a doctor goes through the procedure without saying a word. I had to have two with one doctor (one was a retest) and unusually for me they gave me a gown, so I could not see what she was doing and it made me nervous and I tensed waiting for her to "go in"

I hate the chaperone standing there just watching. I find it really humiliating and embarrassing. Especially when it's one that is miserable and just about smiles or speaks. I'd much rather I be given a choice as to whether I want one in the room or not. Other than that I actually quite enjoy the exam itself .

I do not have a WORST part of MY exams.The only bad part I find,is NEVER lasts long enough!!

I hate waiting for the pap results and I'm not a fan of having a chaperone in the room either.

Two procedures: pap smear and endo biopsy.

Anything involving touch or manipulation etc of my cervix. OWIE! It is ultra sensitive!

I agree about the chaperone. I absolutely hate someone just watching.

When it last only a few minutes....

I thought the worst part was paying the bill! LOL

I am use to it. I like everyone at my gyns office. So none of it is bad. I joke from the second I am called back. The worse part is waiting for the results.

I know what you mean about some sour faced chaperone that looks like she is chewing a lemon. They love to watch and humiliate - and the worst part is there is nothing you can do.

Thank goodness my GP, GYN, and dermatologist give me a choice to have or not have a chaperone present with the exams.

You could always ask to not have one and explain your reasons. They may proceed with the exam without a chaperone.

"You could always ask to not have one and explain your reasons. They may proceed with the exam without a chaperone"

Tried it, seen the film and worn the tee shirt. When I have asked I get a polite but firm NO, and I am told that if I do not like it, to go someone else.

To a degree I can see their point. I will be seen by a physician who will act in a normal, polite, professional way, do nothing he should not do and I will leave the surgery. The next patient will get the same treatment, and as soon as they leave the surgery will rush around to the nearest lawyer and make a complaint. Sadly we live in a very litigious world